A man has been charged after he allegedly pretended to be a rideshare driver and picked up a woman in Wollongong at the weekend.
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The man is accused of picking up a woman near Market Street's Hotel Illawarra about 2.40am on Saturday.
Police will allege he claimed his phone app was off-line and that he performed an indecent act on the woman once she entered his car.
Officers from Wollongong Police District were notified and commenced an investigation.
Following inquiries, police stopped a 34-year-old man in a Honda Accord on Robinson Street, Wollongong, about 9pm yesterday.
Police say the man had a female passenger in the front seat at the time. The Mercury understands the woman was the man's wife.
The man was arrested on the roadside and taken to Wollongong Police Station, where he was charged with sexually touch another person without consent, and driver never licensed.
The Wollongong man was granted conditional bail to appear in Wollongong Local Court on November 9.
The alleged incident, reported in the Mercury at the weekend, has sparked an outpouring of concern and safety tips from concerned residents.
Police have urged rideshare users to ensure they check the details of the car which has been booked against the phone app.
Police would also like to speak to anyone who believes they may have experienced a similar incident.
They are encouraged to come forward and call Wollongong Police on 4226 7899 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Read more court and crime stories here.
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